BMW says M version of the i8 does not make sense as the two can not mix - No M version of the i8

BMW says M version of the i8 does not make sense as the two can not mix - No M version of the i8

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BMW says M version of the i8 does not make sense as the two can not mix - No M version of the i8

We've heard this before, back in 2012 actually. The head of BMW's technology communications (they sure have a lot of things to be head of at BMW these days, don't they?) Cypselus von Frakenberg told caradvice.au that no M version of the i8 would be coming. The reasoning? That the M and i divisions have to be separate with their own identities which they are separate with their own identities. BimmerBoost does not see how an i8 M model changes that.

Here is what he said, ďIt is separate Ė M and i. Itís two different sub-brands, but there will be no ĎMí i-car in the future.These [M] are the high performance cars with combustion engines, and on the other side you have the Ďií cars with electric drive. They wonít come together. I donít think that it would make sense to mix these two sub-brands in one car. We have the Ms, we have the i, and we have the BMW, the core brand. I donít think itís necessary. You look at the car [i8], itís an i version. You look at the LifeDrive architecture of the car, it wouldnít make sense to bring M to that.Ē

Weak argument, pointless argument. He states BMW has three brands i, M, and the core BMW brand. BMW M is allowed access to the core brand cars so why not i? An M car doesn't confuse 3-Series buyers and why would it confuse i buyers? Did Porsche not show a hybrid can be a high performance car like what he states M produces? So if Porsche thinks it makes sense and breaks records doing it BMW can't or shouldn't because some guy thinks it would be too much mixing? The whole point of M is to take a platform to the next level with Motorsport derived expertise.

No offense Mr. Frakenberg, but for over $130k and claiming to be a sports car the i8 could use a little M and a little more performance. The Porsche 918, McLaren P1, Acura NSX, and LaFerrari all show hybrid technology and high performance are not mutually exclusive. This segment will only continue to expand.

I don't like this car. I think they had a chance to make something special and blew it . I wonder what the guy who buys this is going to think when he's getting beat by ford focus st's all day long. There is a long list of cars for 130000 or under that I would take over this. They need to step up and make a true R8 competitor.

I don't like this car. I think they had a chance to make something special and blew it . I wonder what the guy who buys this is going to think when he's getting beat by ford focus st's all day long. There is a long list of cars for 130000 or under that I would take over this. They need to step up and make a true R8 competitor.

Yeah this thing needs some balls. An M version is genius I don't get the $#@!ing problem.

Yeah, I agree. I look at a car like the Tesla S - which people seem to love - and then look at a car like this costing 50% more. I like the way both look - both offer very similar performance (however this will handle more like a car should) - but for the 50k difference, what am I getting? I mean, people are paying to have something special - and this just isn't it. I am all for non-dilution of the M brand, but still - making this a more complete package makes a lot of sense. Not sure what BMW is thinking these days - and moreso why they think everything "doesn't make sense" these days when it's quite the contrary.

I can imagine the chassis of the i8 probably is not designed to house a bigger engine than the 3 cylinder range extender.
Weight distribution, engine bay, gear box, drive shaft, all have to be designed in the chassis.
This was not nessacery for the i8.
Not based on facts though, just a thought

I can imagine the chassis of the i8 probably is not designed to house a bigger engine than the 3 cylinder range extender.
Weight distribution, engine bay, gear box, drive shaft, all have to be designed in the chassis.
This was not nessacery for the i8.
Not based on facts though, just a thought

Of course for the i8 they took the battery weight and location into account which is why it is so small to begin with compared to the i3. But... getting rid of the electric motors and batteries just means more weight in the back and a lighter car.

Not surprising. M stands for money now. They will badge anything with M if it stands to make them money. They won't make any money M'ing the i8 cuz the price would be pushed even beyond the current 130K range, and there's no volume to make money there. They shoulda just gave it 1/2 way decent balls in the first place.